1. Earmark Grants Elizabeth Nicholson, Federal Project Officer Region 3 Discretionary Grants Training Forum 2011

2. Regional Training Forum Meet with your FPO Learn more about DOL grant requirements Provide you with guidance and technical assistance for grant management and operations Network with other Earmark Grantees Take back ideas to make your grant program even better! Region 3 Discretionary Grants Training Forum 2011

3. Getting to Know You Region 3 Discretionary Grants Training Forum 2011

4. What would you like to get out of this session? Region 3 Discretionary Grants Training Forum 2011

5. Earmark Grants in Region 3 - 2010 20 Earmark Grants AL– 1 FL – 6 GA - 1 KY – 4 MS – 7 NC – 1 Region 3 Discretionary Grants Training Forum 2011 1 6 1 4 7 1

6. Earmark Grants in Region 3 - 2009 19 Earmark Grants AL– 2 FL – 6 KY – 1 MS – 6 SC – 3 TN - 1 Region 3 Discretionary Grants Training Forum 2011 2 6 1 6 3 1

7. Earmark Grants in Region 3 2000 – 2 2001 – 11 2002 – 12 2003 – 16 2004 – 13 2005 – 24 2006 – 0 2007 – 0 2008 – 12 2009 – 19 2010 – 20 Region 3 Discretionary Grants Training Forum 2011

8. Role of Federal Project Officer (FPO) Main point of contact Conduit for all formal Grantee-ETA communications Advises & assists on paperwork sufficiency Technical Assistance – directs grantee to resources available Oversight – monitors your grant(s) & reviews quarterly reporting Region 3 Discretionary Grants Training Forum 2011

9. Philadelphia Earmark Center (PEC) National Program Office for Earmarks Reviews proposals submitted through Regional office Resolves issues regarding “legality” or allowable activities Provides policy guidance and technical assistance Region 3 Discretionary Grants Training Forum 2011

10. Where do the Funds Come From? Directed by Congress to fund certain workforce development projects and initiatives Appropriated under the annual Fiscal Year Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Act Authorized under Section 171, Pilot, Demonstration & Research Projects, of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 Region 3 Discretionary Grants Training Forum 2011

11. The main difference between earmark grants and other ETA grants is that earmark grants are awarded without the usual competition among eligible grantee organizations. Region 3 Discretionary Grants Training Forum 2011

12. A major WIA requirement for grantees, both competitive and noncompetitive, is the submission of an acceptable written proposal that outlines how requested Federal funding would be used. Region 3 Discretionary Grants Training Forum 2011

13. Only after a proposal is received, reviewed, and approved by the National Grant Officer does an organization become an official ETA grantee benefiting from a Federal grant. ETA proposals must meet the standards of both WIA and OMB regulations. Region 3 Discretionary Grants Training Forum 2011

14. Earmark grant proposals should include: Provision for direct services to individuals Evidence of coordination with the local workforce delivery system Quantified Performance Outcomes An Evaluation Component Detailed & itemized budget Region 3 Discretionary Grants Training Forum 2011

15. Submit a grant proposal that complies with: Conference Report WIA Section 171 – P, D, & R Projects WIA Section 181 – Req. & Restrictions OMB Rules and Regulations Reference Book One: The Essential Guide for Writing an Earmark Grant Proposal Reference Book Two: A Guide to Financial & Grant Management Requirements for Earmark Grants Region 3 Discretionary Grants Training Forum 2011

16. What is the Process for Receiving the Grant Award? Region 3 Discretionary Grants Training Forum 2011 Grant Proposal Submission  Grant Proposal Review Federal Project Officer  Regional Management  Philadelphia Earmark Center  National Office Grant Officer  Grant Officer Approval  Congressional Notification  Award Disseminated to Grantee

17. Factors that Delay Award process: Unallowable activities/unallowable costs Inconsistencies with timeline and Period of Performance (POP) Start date should be at least 60 to 90 days from FINAL proposal submission Vague outcomes Incorrect amount of total award amount Incorrect budget calculations Region 3 Discretionary Grants Training Forum 2011

18. Factors that Delay Award process: Charges exceeding salary limitation Incorrect use of indirect costs vs. administrative costs Incorrect DUNs # on SF-424 Legal Name of Applicant on SF-424 inconsistent with conference report Missing original signature of authorized representative Region 3 Discretionary Grants Training Forum 2011

19. Resource materials available at: http://www.doleta.gov/regions/Reg02/Pages/Pecoe.cfm Region 3 Discretionary Grants Training Forum 2011

20. Resource materials:  Earmark Conference Reference Materials  Reference Book One  Reference Book Two  Application for Federal Assistance (SF-424)  Grant Budget Worksheets (SF-424A)  Earmark Proposal Template  Earmark Final Report Template  Earmark Grant Post-Award Guide Region 3 Discretionary Grants Training Forum 2011

21. Topics for Discussion Region 3 Discretionary Grants Training Forum 2011

22. Topics for Discussion: Successes / Best Practices Challenges Region 3 Discretionary Grants Training Forum 2011

23. Topics for Discussion: Modifications - Equipment Purchases Region 3 Discretionary Grants Training Forum 2011

24. Topics for Discussion: Quarterly Reports Region 3 Discretionary Grants Training Forum 2011

28. Topics for Discussion: Monitoring Review Region 3 Discretionary Grants Training Forum 2011

29. Topics for Discussion: Sustainability Region 3 Discretionary Grants Training Forum 2011

30. Topics for Discussion: Final Report Region 3 Discretionary Grants Training Forum 2011

31. Topics for Discussion: Close out Region 3 Discretionary Grants Training Forum 2011

32. Questions? Region 3 Discretionary Grants Training Forum 2011